The Easy Transition
A simple favorite
After a long day at work or a list of to-dos, it seems understandable—healthy, even—to resign to a feeling of not being bothered. An end-of-day cocktail, for instance, need not be fussy. Forget the stainless steel drink shakers and spindly mixing spoons—they will only need to be washed later. Locate an old lime wedge left in the back of the fridge. Rinse the closest glass. Laziness is our best shot at conserving energy for the occasions in life that need it most.
- 2 oz.Aplós
- 2 dash bitters
- 4 oz.Tonic or soda water
- Squeeze of lime
- Ice
Simply combine ingredients, and get creative with your bitters. We recommend lavender or citrus bitters—or celery for something savory. Add a garnish, if you’re feeling up to it.
The Conversation Starter
An ode to martinis- 1¾ oz. Aplós
- 1 oz.hibiscus tea, steeped
- ½ oz.lime juice
- ½ oz. honey syrup 1:1 honey to water
Begin in the kitchen, where most good conversations take place. Add ingredients to a shaker with ice. Shake and strain into a coupe glass. Accompany with friends and lively chat.
An Unhurried Afternoon
Bright with a biteWe are usually quite capable of pushing ourselves to the limit, and infinitely less skilled at knowing how to come down. Luckily, the effects of fast living might be remedied if only we granted ourselves a few moments of liberating uselessness and the odd unhurried afternoon—an occasion which simply asks that we ask nothing of ourselves. Setting aside some time to quietly observe the world around us is perhaps today’s most valuable form of therapy.
- 1 ¾ oz. Aplós
- 3 oz. soda water
- 1 tsp.agave nectar
- 5 pieces basil, sage, mint
- 3lemon wedges cut in quartersMuddle lemons, with herbs and agave nectar. Add Aplós and ice. Shake and strain into rocks glass or stemless wine glass. Top with soda water and garnish with herbs.
Aplós is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, sugar-free and contains 0 calories. A 16.9 oz. bottle includes 8 servings – $48 (in-store only) at PulpLab29.com
Excerpt via Forbes
With a growing number of consumers moderating their alcohol consumption in a bid to lead healthier lifestyles, several alcohol-free drinks designed to replace boozy occasions have emerged onto the U.S. beverage scene in recent months.
Aplós does not contain any THC and won’t get you high, however, it does feature cannabidiol (CBD), the nonintoxicating part of the cannabis plant which has been said to help regulate mood, calm the mind, improve focus, reduce inflammation and aid sleep.
According to founders David Fudge and Jessica Manley, Aplós – Greek for “simple” — is a “first-of-its-kind” product in the U.S. beverage industry.
Positioned as an alternative to liquor, a shot of Aplós is supposed to give drinkers a “gentle calming and uplifting” feeling within 15-30 minutes, thanks in part to the company’s use of nano-emulsification technology that enables the human body to absorb water-soluble cannabinoids faster than traditional hemp extract oil.
Formulated in partnership with renowned mixologist Lynnette Marrero, the plant-based non-alcoholic spirit is vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO, sugar-free and contains 0 calories. A 16.9 oz. bottle includes about 8 servings and sells for $48 in-store only at PulpLab29.com
“When you think about this always-on society that we live in, most often the common way we deal with stress is with alcohol,” he added. “I like the experience of having a cocktail, but I don’t like the way it makes me feel after that initial drink.”
That’s why Fudge set out to create a product that could fit into alcohol occasions – like a beverage at the end of a long workday or a happy hour with friends – but without the hangover.
As it grows, additional products – including ready-to-drink offerings and those infused with THC – could be in the offing.
How does it taste?
It has a strong citrus-forward flavor and a pithy bitterness that is at first can be overpowering on its own. However, when mixed with a dash of bitters, some tonic water and a squeeze of lime – a recipe I found on the Aplós website – the drinking experience becomes much more enjoyable.
I also sipped Aplós over ice with some grapefruit seltzer, and eventually came around to enjoying it neat.
